Did you know that all residents and businesses in California are required to separate compostable (organic) and recyclable materials from landfill (garbage) materials?
This requirement was established by California Senate Bill (SB) 1383, the State’s mandatory organics reduction and recycling law, which is implemented in Union City under Municipal Code Chapter 7.24 in partnership with Republic Services, Tri-CED Community Recycling, StopWaste, and the Alameda County Environmental Health Department.
Why Should I Compost?
When food scraps and other compostable materials such as food-soiled paper and yard trimmings break down in landfills, they produce methane, a harmful greenhouse gas 80x more potent than carbon dioxide. Landfills in California are responsible for 20% of statewide methane emissions.
When Union City residents place compostable materials in their green compost cart, they not only reduce methane emissions and address climate change, but they also create compost—a valuable soil amendment that retains moisture, conserves water and nourishes plants and trees.
Union City residents are provided a Food Scraps Kitchen Pail to conveniently collect and transport food scraps and food-soiled paper to your green curbside compost cart. Contact Republic Services at 510.657.3500 to request a Kitchen Pail at no additional cost. Remember to place compostable materials such as yard trimmings and untreated wood directly in the curbside compost cart.Visit UnionCityRecycles.org to learn more about what is accepted in Union City’s curbside compost collection program and to download free resources. Visit StopFoodWaste.org for simple shopping, cooking, and food storage tips to prevent food waste from being generated in the first place.
